Something for the Weekend - Part 207 - Dragon's Lair!

[davescm]

Thanks to everyone who took part in our oil can challenge, there were some great ideas and images.

I have @jane-e to thank for this weekend's challenge idea. The Chinese New Year for 2024 starts on 10th February, which is right in the middle of our fortnightly challenge period, and starts the 'Year of the Dragon' or more specifically the 'Wood Dragon'. So for this challenge, I bring you to the dragon's lair. It is up to you to show us whether the dragon is friendly or more sinister.

The “rules”:

• Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
• Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
• Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
• There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off, or bring a bit of humour and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
• The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

To download the image,  hover over the image and click on the circle with the arrows at the top right.

Then, when the image opens in its own window, right click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar depending on your browser).

When posting back your image — please use the blue reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the top of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the grey reply button next to their image post.

Have fun!

Dave

[Ged_Traynor]

@davescm is that a Blender render?

[davescm]

It is Ged 🙂

Dave

[Ged_Traynor]

 Great work, love the rock face texture 👍

[davescm]

Cheers Ged. Texturing was Substance Painter and Substance Designer 🙂

Dave

[jane-e]

I was about to ask: is it a photo? 😊 It's a beautiful render, Dave, and I love the firey glow! The skull and bones are a fun touch!

Jane

[Jess Telmanik]

Incredible @davescm !

[Dean_Utian]

Well done Dave. Great work as usual.

[davescm]

Thank you guys. It was put together fairly quickly when I remembered on Thursday that I didn't have an image for Friday. The old 3D principle - if you don't have an image - make one! 🙂

Dave

[jane-e]

Haha, proving that I was wrong and it's not a photo! 😊 Your renders are so realistic, Dave! How did you make the beautiful rock texture?

Jane

[davescm]

@jane-e The initial rock and ground deformation that you see in the screenshot above was a simple noise pattern used to displace the surface. Then I used two rock cliff materials from Adobe 3D assets and mixed them in Blender using another noise pattern so that they appear randomly across the surface. I used the height maps from those textures to drive micro-displacement of the surface  on rendering (which in Blender is called adaptive sub-division).  It is an 'experimental' function in Blender and has been so for years. I often use it to get a realistic looking texture on a surface such as ground and rocks.

[jane-e]

You did a fantastic job with this scene, Dave, and I love it!

Jane

[duuufner]

Dave, I love to see the behind the scenes of the art. Very cool! 

[@mj]

Nice one @davescm .

I see a Tech Tuesday in the making here mate.

Best

mj

iMSD

[sishamIAGD]

As darkness draws near, you might be lucky enough to see...

[duuufner]

That's cool!

[davescm]

Nice one sishamAGD. Not one dragon but a family 🙂

Dave

[Abambo]

 

The KI was nice!

[davescm]

A cute dragon - nothing to be afraid of here 🙂

Dave

[Abambo]

The prompt was “rabbit disguised as dragon”. Quite accurate execution! 😉

[Valdair Leonardo]

Beware of the babies :dragon_face:

[davescm]

A dragon nursery! Nice thinking Valdair 🙂

Dave

[Valdair Leonardo]

Thanks, Dave! Amazing job with the 3D! 🙂  

[Jess Telmanik]

2024 Dragon Zen Vibes

[duuufner]

I like how you covered up the hole. lol